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While Maryland’s 6th District race between Democrat April McClain Delaney and Republican Neil Parrott is low-profile and inexpensive, both campaigns are starting to bring in reinforcements in what’s shaping up to be a more competitive battle.

A sleeper race in Maryland heats up

A new problem has emerged in Democrats’ efforts to retake the House — the possibility that they’re on the verge of losing what was thought to be a safe seat in the Maryland exurbs.

While Maryland’s 6th District race between Democrat April McClain Delaney and Republican Neil Parrott is low-profile and inexpensive, both campaigns are starting to bring in reinforcements in what’s shaping up to be a more competitive battle. The D+2 district is currently represented by Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), who gave up the seat for an unsuccessful Senate bid.

Senior Democrats involved in the race have privately expressed concerns about candidate quality in a contest described as a “nail-biter” and “closer than it should be.”

Several Democrats who declined to go on the record said McClain Delaney — a former Commerce Department official — is campaigning solely on name recognition. McClain Delaney is married to former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), who held the seat for three terms. John Delaney retired from the House for a brief self-funded run for president in 2020.

Other Maryland Democrats monitoring the race said McClain Delaney isn’t doing enough to be active in the community or putting enough of her own money into the campaign. McClain Delaney has given her campaign more than $2 million.

Nick London, McClain Delaney’s campaign manager, countered that McClain Delaney is a “qualified candidate” who is “raising the funds necessary to win.”

Democrats try to shore up support: In a sign of how worried Democrats are about the seat, McClain Delaney’s district was added to the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program last month despite being a seat President Joe Biden easily won in 2020.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who has been a key surrogate for Democrats this cycle, is expected to campaign for McClain Delaney. She also held a fundraiser with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) earlier this week and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark last month.

Trone told us he’s traveled with McClain Delaney around the district to help booster her campaign. Trone dismissed the attacks on McClain Delaney’s candidacy, calling her “the real deal.” McClain Delaney is also backed by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who supported her in the primary.

Currently, McClain Delaney has just over $320,000 cash on hand. Parrott has a similar amount — just over $320,000.

Neither House Majority PAC — the super PAC aligned with Democratic leaders — nor Congressional Leadership Fund — the super PAC backed by House GOP leadership — has invested in this race.

Conservatives step in: Parrott, who lost twice to Trone in 2020 and 2022, has the backing of the House Freedom Caucus’ campaign arm. Delaney has attacked Parrott’s ultra-conservatism as unfit for the Democratic-leaning district.

The House Freedom Fund gave roughly $30,000 to Parrott for the primary and $3,600 for the general election.

HFC Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.), the sole Republican from Maryland, held a fundraiser for Parrott in July and donated an additional $2,000 from his own campaign account. And House Freedom Caucus aides are being asked to doorknock for Parrott in the final stretch. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also endorsed Parrott this past week.

Parrott’s victory — albeit still a longshot — would be a huge win for HFC, which lost its former chair, Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), in a contentious primary earlier this year. Another former chair, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) is also facing a tough race.

The NRCC added Parrott to their Young Guns program during the same time frame the DCCC shifted McClain Delaney.

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Editorial photos provided by Getty Images. Political ads courtesy of AdImpact.